Fitzhenry to target Navan Final Trainer Paul Nolan is eyeing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final at Navan for his recent J.P. McManus owned Fairyhouse winner Fitzhenry. Fitzhenry has won won twice and finished a narrow second twice on his last four runs and has now been raised 6lbs for his latest win, at Naas last Sunday. Nolan says “Fitzhenry is entered for the Leinster National but we're thinking of going for the three mile Novice Handicap Final at Navan (on March 18). He'll only be a novice for a couple more months so we're going to make use of that and it is still a E50,000 race. “With a bit of luck he could have won his last four races but instead has won just two, although fortunately it was a nice pot the last day. “I”m hoping he'll stay the three miles at Navan — it was 2m4f at Fairyhouse but was testing and he has previously been placed at three miles.” “He received 6lbs for finishing second over hurdles two starts ago, which I thought was a bit harsh as he is still a maiden and wasn't able to get by Dermot McLoughlin's horse (Dromore Lad).” Nolan's Fine Theatre, a brother to the trainer's Irish Gold Cup winner Joncol, also carries an entry in the Leinster National and is a likely runner, despite the trainer's reservations surrounding his current rating. He added “he was given 135 after winning his beginners chase and to be honest, has been on the wrong side of the handicapper since. He was beaten 35L in the Thyestes and was only dropped 1lb. He'll probably have be be dropped a lot to win a race and he is now without a win his since his maiden hurdle and beginners chase wins. I thought he looked beaten when unseating over hurdles the last day but he'll take his chance in the Leinster National.” Regarding another of his useful prospects, novice hurdler Discorama, he said “he is entered in the Martin Pipe but is number 76 on the ballot. “I'll talk to the lads (owners Andrew Gemmell & Thomas Friel) about it but if he doesn't get in, which it seems like, there is no point just making up the numbers running in the Albert Bartlett as he is probably 20lbs below that standard.”
